Speaker

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Carma is available to speak on a variety of speculative fiction topics in a variety of formats:

Lectures & Presentations
1-2 hours

Workshops
3 to 8 hours; single or multi-day

Teleseminars & Webinars
Delivered over the phone, pre-recorded or live

Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions
Virtual or live

Carma has been speaking since high school, when she competed on the Speech Team and earned a block in speech. She has been a Toastmaster on and off since 1989 and has earned a Competent Toastmaster Award. She is currently writing a book on public speaking called Public Speaking Super Powers, which uses superheroes and super powers as metaphor for talent and skills. You can find several short video samples of her speaking on that book’s website, publicspeakingsuperpowers.com.

Suggested Topics for Presentations

Discovering the Future:The Rise (and Fall?) of Science FictionAll literature reflects the culture and times in which it was written. Science fiction, in particular, reflects the attitudes, hopes and fears we have regarding technological and scientific change.

Topics covered in this presentation include:

What is science fiction?

Historical roots of science fiction

Mainstreaming of science fiction

Is science fiction destined to become obsolete?

Technoreality:How Technology Alters RealityTechnology is transforming our perceptions of reality — and has ever since we as a species became self-aware. Technology has increased our ability to identify, control and alter reality. Let us explore how theater, museums, film, television and new technological achievements have helped us both gain a firmer grasp on and lose sight of reality.

Topics covered in this presentation include:

What is reality?

Simulations in literature and film

Simulation in daily life

Virtual reality

Technoself:The Fusion of Human and Machine in Science Fiction and LifeThroughout its history, science fiction has discussed the issues of self vs. other and human vs. machine. As our technological skills grow, the once firm line between self and other has started to fade. What does science fiction literature and film warn us about … and are we listening?

Topics covered in this presentation include:

What is self and what is other?

Computers as other

Robots as other

Television as other

Cyborgs

Aliens as other (optional)

From Pinocchio to The Terminator:Our Love/Hate Relationship with Artificial LifeWhat is it about artificial life that both repels and attracts the human imagination? Let’s explore how artificial life and artificial intelligence is represented and explored in literature, film, history and science. Should we be hopeful … or afraid?

Topics covered in this presentation include:

Early representations of artificial life: from Talos to the Golum

The artificial life debate

Computers, robots and the Internet … different ideas of artificial intelligence